UH Presidential Search Committee to interview finalist search firms

The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents Presidential Selection Committee decided today to invite three finalist executive search firms to make in-person presentations to the committee before making a final selection in the search for a new university president. The committee narrowed the field to three candidate firms from the submissions sent in response to the Invitation to Submit Proposals issued on October 4, 2013, at its meeting today at Bachman Hall at 10:00 a.m. The three firms will be invited to make presentations to the committee within the next two weeks if possible, and the committee will make a final selection of a firm to assist and advise in the presidential search after interviewing the firms’ representatives.

“The Presidential Selection Committee concluded that further discussion was required with the finalists we identified, and that that discussion should occur in person,” said Selection Committee Chair Regent Carl Carlson. “We’ve asked the firms to show their commitment to the process and belief in their own excellence by coming to present to us at their own expense here in Hawaiʻi. We will make a final decision as soon as possible after these presentations have taken place.”

The finalist firms will not be publicly identified, nor will their names be disclosed to the other finalists, so as to maintain confidentiality and to protect the proprietary nature of the firms’ strategies, concepts, database strength and expertise. “We’re obviously looking for the very best in the next president, and therefore need a firm that understands the unique qualities of Hawaiʻi while providing a high caliber of service. Competitiveness in pricing and a proven track record are also critical components that we are taking into consideration,” said Carlson.

The committee will be responsible for negotiating the best price for services with the firm, in keeping with good stewardship of public funds practices, and will make public the selected firm’s name and fee for services after an agreement has been reached.

The committee also continues its community outreach activities, appearing before local groups and organizations and soliciting feedback on what type of individual is desired and what skill set should be required in the next university president. The committee has met with close to 15 community groups in September and October, and has another 15 to 20 listening dates scheduled in November and beyond. A complete listing by date of upcoming appearances and ways to contact the committee to invite them to appear before other groups can be found at the committee’s website: http://www.hawaii.edu/news/category/governance/presidential-search/ or by clicking the “Presidential Search” button on the hawaii.edu home page.